*Mama June's Recipe for Roadkill

Summer is here and Mama June wants you to have her very own recipe for roadkill.  It's as easy to prepare as it delicious!  Good luck and good eats from my family to yours!

Mama June's Roadkill Recipe

3 to 5 pounds fresh (or semi-fresh) skunk, muskrat, possum, or other roadkill

2 cups bacon drippings

1 cup mud (for an earthy flavor)

1/2 cup ketchup (Great Value brand is best)

2 sticks of margarine (Blue Bonnet or Country Crock-it's worth the splurge)

2 tablespoons cigarette ash (for a smokey flavor)

Mix the bacon drippings, mud, and ketchup together and lather it all over the meat.  Sprinkle the cigarette ash over the top of the animal and then add pats of margarine all over the animal and stick some on the inside if you are able.  Slow roast (off heat) on your gill for 60-90 minutes.  

Mama June 

Dear Betty: Reader Question 6/21/2019 Endocrine Disruptors

Dear Betty,

I was reading your post about plastic number six and you said that it is a known endocrine disruptor.  The thing is, I don't know what an endocrine disruptor is and I don't think most people do.  Can you explain what an endocrine disruptor is and why it matters?

Thanks,

M

Dear M,

Thank you so much for the question and for reading!  You are right, I've never explained what an endocrine disruptor is and why you should care.  I would be happy to explain what I'm talking about a little more clearly.  Below is a simplified explanation that I hope answers your question.

Thank you,

Betty

Your endocrine system is a messaging system of hormones within your body.  In humans, the major endocrine glands consist of the pineal gland, pituitary gland, hypothalamus, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands, pancreas, ovaries in women, and testis in men.  This system of hormone-producing glands allows the different organs of the body to work together and communicate in harmony.

This system controls your digestion, metabolism, respiration, tissue function, sensory perception, sleep, excretion, lactation, stress, growth and development, movement, reproduction, and mood.  Basically, everything.

When endocrine disruptors, ie chemicals invade the body, it interrupts this delicate harmony and that's when things go wrong.  This is when you end up with cancer, tumors, birth defects, infertility, learning disabilities, obesity, and diabetes.  It can cause feminization in males and masculinization in females.  Basically, endocrine disruptors can mess up any system in your body.  They are extremely harmful and I think we are just beginning to realize and understand the full effect of what these products are having on our health.  I think it is very important to avoid plastic and endocrine disruptors whenever possible.

DIY Glass Cleaner

I recently hired my daughter Harriet (not her real name) and her gentleman caller to wash all of my windows inside and out.  I paid them handsomely for their work and it still cost me less than half of what a professional company would have charged.  It was a win for all of us.  

Because we are trying to be green, I had them use homemade glass cleaner and shop cloths that we keep on hand for this type of work.  We ordered a pack of shop cloths many years ago that are 100 percent cotton that are handy for cleaning and dusting.  I looked into a few different recipes for the glass cleaner and came up with a combination of a few different ones to try out.  Some recipes say that you can add essential oils to cover up the vinegar smell but I didn't do that.  I don't have essential oils and I'm not going to buy them.  The smell of the mixture fades a few moments after use and it isn't so bad to begin with.   

I used water, vinegar, and rubbing alcohol and it really worked great.  The kids got the windows clean and didn't have any issues at all.  The homemade mixture seems to have worked better than regular Windex since they didn't get any streaks or smudges at all.  I think I really lucked out with this recipe working great as I've heard there are a lot out there that leave much to be desired.

If you shop at Target you are going to pay $3.29 for a 26-ounce bottle of Windex with the spray nozzle.  The 2-liter refill bottle is cheaper per ounce and will cost you $5.99.  The mixture I made cost a few cents to make and I feel that it works better than Windex.  The Windex refill bottles are a better option than buying a new spray bottle each time since they are larger and easier to recycle without the nozzle.  If you buy the Windex Vinegar, it is made from  100 percent ocean plastic.  I think the effort is nice but if you can avoid plastic, you should.  Since there is a need to reduce the number of recycled materials overall, it's best if you can make something yourself and use one of your refillable glass or aluminum spray bottles.  

Betty's DIY Glass Cleaner

1/2 cup water

1 cup vinegar

1/2 cup rubbing alcohol

All the Things Your DOG can Compost

It's June and your compost pile is probably getting hot and turning your organic waste into garden gold.  I've talked about compost in a number of posts before but today I want to point out things that your dog can compost.  That's right, your dog can contribute to the compost bin just like every other member of the family.

Before we talk about the things your dog can compost, it's important to point out what your dog can't compost.   There one thing that you should never compost and that is your dog's poop.  Never put dog poop into your compost whether you are going to use it in your garden or just on your lawn.  Fecal matter is rife with bacteria that won't be killed in your home compost pile or tumbler because it just doesn't get hot enough.  So there you have it, never try to compost dog poop.  You can use a Doggy Dooley for your dog poop and you can read more about that here.  You can actually compost poop from rabbits and any animal that is a herbivore and it is supposed to be an excellent addition to your compost.

So what can your dog compost?  Good question!  If you cut your dog's hair or brush your dog you can go right ahead and add that hair and fur to your compost.  Just like human hair, dog hair and fur is very good for your compost and breaks down quite nicely.  If you trim your dog's nails that is another thing you can add to the compost.  Like human nails, dog nails are made of keratin and keratin is great for compost.  When we trim our dog's nails we call it a pedi-pedi, get it?  If you use tissues or cotton balls to clean out your dog's ear go ahead and toss them into that compost.  Do you have expired dog food or is your dog a picky eater who leaves food uneaten?  If you feed your dog dry food or kibbles as we call it, you guessed it, put those kibbles into the compost and the bacteria will thank you.

There you have it.  Your dog can be a productive member of the family with it comes to composting waste.  Don't let your dog feel left out, make sure to let him compost what he can.  You're welcome.

Slow Clap Presents: Lithium and the White Gold Rush

Real Story.  Real Stupid.

"What links the battery in your smartphone with a dead yak floating down a Tibetan river?"

-Wired

Lithium-ion batteries were developed in 1991.  They are superior quality batteries that offer the ability to use clean energy from wind turbines, solar panels, hydroelectric dams and other sources of clean energy.  Lithium-ion batteries help reduce greenhouse emissions and could be the answer to a carbon-free future but at what cost?

Where does lithium come from?  Lithium is a soft silvery-white metal that is found in hot salty brine deep beneath the surface of the earth.  The salt and lithium form under deserts and prehistoric lake beds like Panamint Valley, near Death Valley in the Mojave Desert.  Much of the lithium we currently use comes from South America, from Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile.  

How is lithium processed?  The salty brine is pumped up to the surface where it is spread out in large drying ponds that separate the different elements.  This process in total takes between 18 months and 2 years.  After all of the evaporating and filtering, lithium carbonate is able to be extracted and made into a usable product.

What's wrong with lithium mining?  In South America, 65 percent of the drinking water is used in the lithium mining process.  This process requires 500,000 gallons of water to produce 1 ton of lithium.  The mining process can contaminate fresh water and can kill fish and other animals hundreds of miles away.  The mining is invasive and threatens the sensitive ecosystems of our planet.  This process exposes evaporated minerals to the air and it destroys the water table, pollutes the local wells as well as the earth.

Battery Mineral Resources, a company based in Australia, is seeking permission to drill 4 wells in Panamint Valley.  These 4 wells will cost 7 million dollars and could lead to a major mining operation in the future.  The Center for Biologic Diversity, The Sierra Club, and The Defenders of Wildlife claim that this will lead to a destruction of the beautiful panorama, disrupt the ecosystem and threaten wildlife like the desert tortoise, the Panamint alligator lizard, Nelson's bighorn sheep, as well as many other precious animals.

My two cents: I'm guilty of owning products with lithium-ion batteries as is everyone else.  I didn't know enough to consider where lithium batteries come from and how they are made.  The Wired article I read asked, "What links the battery in your smartphone with a dead yak floating down a Tibetan river?"  The answer, of course, is the lithium-ion battery.  

Rating:  I give the white gold rush for lithium 3 out of 5 possible slow claps.  While I realize that there is a need for lithium-ion batteries in our lives, I wonder how much is enough?  We already take so much for from the earth and it's never enough.  We are like the Once-ler in the story of the Lorax.  He didn't think about his actions until he cut down the last truffula tree.  With our addiction to bigger, better, faster, an more, I doubt we will stop ourselves until it's too late. 

A protest against lithium mining in China that kills the fish in the Lichu River.

We got a Plasma Lighter and You Should Too

I wrote a Slow Clap Presents a while back about how wasteful Bic lighters are.  I suggested using either a Zippo because it is refillable or a plasma lighter because it is electric and rechargeable.  We have bought aim and flame lighters in the past for when we have bonfires but because the two we have left are running out we decided to opt for a more sustainable option moving forward.  You can read Slow Clap Presents: Flick My Bic here.

The Handsome Husband and I looked at different plasma lighter options and decided to order one from Amazon that is made Explorer.  It was under 15 dollars and it appears to be well made.  We both really like that it doesn't require any type of fuel and it isn't a "disposable lighter."  This lighter is rechargeable and should last at least quite a few years until the battery can no longer be recharged.

The price we paid for our lighter is equivalent to two and a half aim and flames but the difference is huge.  The aim and flames that we used to use as well as all "disposable" lighters run out of fuel and go into the garbage.  That really makes no sense.  Reusable products give you the most value even if they cost a little bit more upfront.  

The plasma lighter works the same way lightning does.  The high voltage electrical current passes between two nodes that create an arc of highly charged plasma.  The plasma creates heat and is able to light whatever object you put in it.  The voltage in the lighter is much lower than in lightning, obviously and is safe for you to use.  

When your "disposable" lighter or aim and flame is getting ready to run out make sure you look into a plasma lighter.  They are cost friendly and a much better option for our planet.

Closed.

Open.

Where the charger plugs in.

Ready to burn sh!t.

Seasonal Sunday: It Came From Where???

Last week's Seasonal Sunday talked about the pros and cons of rubber tire mulch.  I promised that I would follow up this week with information about traditional landscaping materials and how and where they are sourced.  I think it's important to know where things come from so that you can understand the bigger picture.  As it turns out, the things you buy don't just come from the store.  You can read last week's post here.

Woodchips: When I say woodchips I am referring to both actual woodchips as well as wood mulch.  There are two kinds of woodchips.  One kind is a woodchip that is created as a byproduct.  The other kind is a woodchip is that is created because it is the product.  It may not seem like much of a difference but the difference is actually huge.  The byproduct woodchip comes from brush that has been chipped or from sustainable forest practices.  Although I should point out that "sustainable forest sourcing" is a debatable term.  The product woodchip comes from chipping trees from forests for the specific purpose of making a product that consumers will buy.   It does make a difference which woodchip you buy although I'm sure it is difficult to get a definitive answer even if you are forward-thinking enough to inquire before making a purchase.

Gravel:  Gravel can come from a variety of places.  Beaches, riverbeds, lake bottoms, or gravel pits are all sources for gravel.  Gravel can also be crushed stones.  I think important things to consider before buying gravel would be to ask where it came from.  Whether or not you can actually elicit a truthful answer is another story.  We shouldn't be taking gravel from beaches, riverbeds, and lake bottoms in my humble opinion.  I'm not sure if a gravel pit is earth-friendly or not so I can't speak to any pros and cons to that practice at this time.

River rock:  Smooth river rock comes from two sources.  One way to get river rock is to take it from where it exists in nature.  River rock is made smooth over time after being worn down from moving water.  This type of "natural" river rock can be sourced from beaches and stream beds.  Another way is from a tumbler.  Rocks that are extracted from sand and gravel deposits are tumbled into a smooth shape.  River rock, like gravel, in my opinion, should not be taken from beaches or stream beds.  I'm not sure how I feel about it coming from gravel or sand deposits.

Rough rock:  Rough 'natural rock" is mined from quarries by use of explosives and heavy machinery.  I think my feelings about this practice are probably obvious.  If you are just using it for landscaping, I think you should find something else instead.

Sand:  Sand can come from two places.  It may come from a sand and gravel pit or it can come from river beds.  Sand is usually not sourced from seashores or beaches because the salt interferes with concrete mixing and is poor for garden health.

So what is the right selection for landscaping?  I don't know.  It could be one of these options or it could be the rubber tire mulch that I talked about last week.  Whatever material you do end up purchasing, make sure you take the time to ask questions and find out where it really came from.  Remember that by spending money you are supporting whatever method was used to supply you with these materials.  Don't settle for something because it is the cheapest, choose based on what is best for our environment.

*The Good Citizen's Guide to Consumerism

Everyone wants to be a good citizen.  One aspect of being a good citizen is being a good consumer.  When all citizens are good consumers the economy is robust and plentiful.  When someone isn't a good consumer it is felt by the entire community and it is a threat to the very fabric of our good nation.  Today we will learn how to be a good consumer by following just 3 easy steps.

Step 1.  Shop.  Shopping is an American pastime and is an activity that can be enjoyed by all.  It is the foundation upon which our economy is built so it is every man's duty for the good of the nation.  Shopping is an excellent way to explore new and exciting ways to make one's life easier.  Shopping allows someone a chance to be abreast of new technologies and inventions that he can be proud to own.  Shopping is great for a girls day out, a date, or a day on the town for the whole family.

Step 2.  Buy.  Buying is the big finale for your shopping trip and no shopping trip should be complete without it.  Buying goods ensures that money changes hand and keeps the well-oiled economy machine humming along with gusto.  The act of purchasing builds confidence and makes people happy.  When you treat yourself to the latest and greatest technology you can feel good about all of the hard work and long hours spent at the office.  You can take pride in showing off the latest models and the newest toys to your fellow neighbors and friends.  Try surprising your wife with that new vacuum cleaner that she saw at the store, she'll probably squeal with excitement.  Buying for yourself and your family ensures happiness for everyone.

Step 3.  Repeat.  Repeating is the final and most important step in being a good consumer.  Without repeat shopping and buying the well-oiled economy machine would come to a screeching halt.  When you've bought all that you want you should check for new items and consider replacing and upgrading things you have previously bought.  This way you will keep the economy strong and you can be the envy of the neighborhood with all of the latest gadgets.  When you replace something you already have with a newer version you want to be sure to toss out that old one and send it to the dump where it belongs.  Don't worry about the waste as it is a sign of prosperity.  A steady flow of garbage to the dump is a strong indication of a successful economy.  

Shop.  Buy.  Repeat.  It's just that easy.  Now you can be a good citizen and a good consumer.

A good consumer treats his family to the finer things.

*Satirical Saturday brought to you by Betty. 

Dear Betty: Dear Gardein, Your Bags Need Work 6/14/2019

Dear Gardein,

I really like your product but I feel that the thick plastic bags it comes in are counterproductive to your mission to help the earth. I would be more inclined to purchase frequently if you could package in a more sustainable way.

Thank you,

Betty Stebber

Hello Mrs. Betty,

Thank you for your contact.

Our top priority is that you enjoy our food, including your satisfaction with the packaging.  We often review our packaging to see where improvements can be made.  We are thankful you emailed us so we can get all the details to our team.

-Conagra Brands

My daughter Esmeralda (not her real name) became a vegetarian a few months ago and we have been on a sometimes painful journey to find meat substitutes that she will eat without throwing up. Yes, a veggie burger made her throw up once and that's why I called it a painful journey. I won't disclose what company made the barf-inducing burger but it wasn't Gardein and it wasn't actually bad but I digress.

Esmeralda discovered that she liked the meat alternative products made by Gardein. I tried the breaded tenders and the black bean burger and both are pretty good. My problem is that they are seriously over packaged in super thick resealable plastic bags that are about four times the size they need to be. Naturally, I wrote to Gardein to suggest a more earth-friendly package to go along with their earth-friendly slogan. Like most companies, they did not respond to my heartfelt thoughts.

Here is where it gets interesting, for me at least. This is their slogan:

By choosing Gardein, you’re making a choice that’s good for you and good for the planet—and you don’t have to sacrifice taste one bit! All Gardein foods make for healthier, meat-free meals, perfect for Meatless Mondays, Fishless Fridays, or any day of the week. You don’t even need to vegan or a vegetarian to make great dishes with Gardein. We promise your taste buds will thank you.

How can you have a slogan like that and package your product in the aforementioned atrocious way? When you say your company cares about the planet, I suggest you at least try to package in the eco-friendliest way possible. When you package the way they do, it tells me you don't give a flying f*ck about the planet and your slogan is merely consumer propaganda. [mic drop]

Wait, I guess I'm not done. [pick the mic back up] I didn't notice until I went to send the email that the site Gardein redirects to when you chose 'contact us' is that of Conagra. I'm the first to admit that I'm not good about knowing who owns what and which parent company oversees what smaller company. I did recall something about Conagra that smelled funny. Actually, it smelled delicious, the smell was meat. [insert comedic drum riff here]

Conagra owns SlimJim, Gardein, Duncan Hines, Healthy Choice, Earth Balance, Marie Callender's, Hunts, Reddi Wip, Vlasic, Birds Eye, Boom Chicka Pop, Duke's Smoked Meats, Orville Redenbacher's, Frontera, Udi's, and Pam. 

When you take a look at the larger picture, it really brings things into focus. The words you read on the Gardein bag is just that, words. Conagra doesn't care more about the planet than any other big corporation. They don't care about people giving up meat for Meatless Monday, they own Slim Jim and Duke's Smoked Meats for crying out loud. They, like most big corporations, care about making money, your money. [mic drop...again]

Do you have a question, comment, or suggestion?

I'd love to hear from you!

Email me at Mrs.Stebber@gmail.com or comment on the blog

DIY Dusting Spray Review

A while ago I talked about making your own cleaning products (read that post here) because it is better for the environment and healthier for you.  Yesterday I talked about the reusable glass spray bottles (read that post here) that I bought just for this purpose and today I want to talk about how the DIY dusting spray turned out. 

The dusting spray is the first attempt at making my own cleaning products and it turned out well.  It is actually so simple that I wish I had tried this sooner.  I mixed 1 cup water, 1/4 cup vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the glass bottle and deployed one of my monkeys kids to test it out.  I should mention that you can add lemon essential oil to make it smell like regular dusting spray but I opted not to do that.  

The dusting spray worked very well and should last quite a while.  The oil does separate in the bottle so you will need to gently shake it up every once in a while when you are dusting.  So why should you make your own dusting spray?  For a few reasons really.  One is that not all areas accept aerosol cans for recycling and even if they are accepted it is imperative to reduce the amount of material that needs to be recycled overall.  If your area doesn't accept aerosol cans for recycling then it goes in the trash and that is a huge waste of space in the landfill and the resources required to make the can in the first place.  Another reason is that when you make your own product you know what's in there.  Dusting spray bought at the store contains chemicals that are bad for you and your family.  Don't believe me?  Read the ingredients and take a minute to look them up and you'll see that I'm right.  Another reason is that it saves you money.  A can of regular Pledge dusting spray will cost you $4.79 at Target and the mixture I made cost me a few cents and it is the same amount.  Saving over four bucks on dusting spray isn't going to turn you into a rich person but when you have embarked on this journey you realize the totality of money saved from each change has a splendor all its own.  Finally, because it's easy.  When you can make your own healthier dusting spray for pennies in a fraction of the time it would take to drive to the store, you are going to wonder, as I did, why you didn't try it sooner.

DIY Dusting Spray

1 cup water

1/4 cup vinegar

2 tablespoons olive oil

10-15 drops lemon essential oil if desired